Dragon Age: The Challenges of Delivering as Vegilguard, Facing Exaggerated Demands
In the year 2024, BioWare's fourth major installment in their fantasy RPG series, named Dragon Age: The Veilguard, proved to be an entertaining adventure. However, the foreseeability of its characters hindered me from establishing an emotional bond with the narrative.
Veilguard follows the adjustable player character, Rook, who unites with six companions to vanquish two ancient elven mages aiming to dictate the world as deities. As with other BioWare games, Veilguard incorporates player choices and dialogue selections that determine the story's conclusions.
I anticipated Veilguard to resonate with me emotionally, much like other large-scale fantasy RPGs such as Elden Ring, Skyrim, or The Witcher 3, due to its intricate environments, enjoyable combat, and first-rate voice acting. Regrettably, I never felt fully entrenched in its world or completely committed to the outcomes of its characters.
What hindered me from exploring a deeper connection with the game was the consistent alignment of my assumptions and emotions throughout the game's over 60-hour playtime. In no circumstances did I feel that I had made a misjudgment about a character, and I wished there had been an instance of uncertainty.
The characters in Veilguard are appealing and, for the most part, relatable. Emmrich, a necromancer and scholar, grapples with concerns about his mortality after losing both his parents at a tender age. Taash, a Qunari warrior, grapples with the expectations and disappointment of her mother over her identity and choices.
The Veilguard characters are kind, humorous, and showcase intriguing backstories, with their personalities clearly established in the player’s initial encounters. Regrettably, regardless of various companion-centric side quests, I perceived their personalities to remain constant throughout the game.
Let's take Davrin, a Grey Warden with a stern demeanor, as an example. As a protector of the world from darkspawn and a caretaker of an endangered griffin, the game explores the strained relationship between Davrin's warrior and nurturing sides. However, it's evident from the beginning that Davrin is both compassionate and a formidable fighter. This character trait remains unchanged throughout the game.
For me, the unsurprising nature of Veilguard's characters made the story less poignant and less extraordinary. This disappointment led me to reminisce about moments in gaming when characters defied my expectations, like the beloved Bloody Baron quest line in The Witcher 3 (2015).
In The Witcher 3, you portray Geralt, a monster hunter for hire, desperately seeking his adopted daughter, Ciri. Early in the game, you encounter the Bloody Baron, who is also searching for his missing family. The Baron bargains information about Ciri for your assistance in finding his loved ones.
Initially, the Baron is portrayed as a sympathetic character. Later on, you learn about the Baron's history of alcohol abuse, which led to his wife's miscarriage. The player can respond to this revelation in various ways, from empathy to condemnation.
The Bloody Baron quest is somber, disturbing, and unforgettable, not only due to the graphic brutality it depicts but because the game challenges the player's assumptions. By inverting the script, it prompts the player to contemplate: How do I integrate new information about these characters? How do I feel about these characters? How do I want my player character to feel about them? Answering these questions is a vital part of role-playing.
This type of narrative shift isn't always bound to horrific events or the transformation of a sympathetic character into a villain. In Stardew Valley (2016), the seemingly shallow and pretentious mean-girl Haley gradually reveals herself to be a more caring and complex person. This shift catches the player off-guard and invites reflection on whether the initial assessment of Haley was fair or accurate.
In the world of gaming, developers aim to satisfy players—especially in a beloved series like Dragon Age, where meeting player expectations is essential. Nevertheless, games are at their strongest when they encourage us to reevaluate our judgments. Being disoriented and proven wrong can intensify our bond with characters and worlds because we must reflect on our relationship with what we are experiencing. Personally, I would have preferred a dose of this sort of reflection in Veilguard.
Despite my excitement for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, given its connections to BioWare and The Witcher 3, the predictability of its characters prevented a deeper emotional connection. I found myself yearning for a character like Geralt from The Witcher 3, whose complexities and unexpected developments in the Bloody Baron quest line had a powerful impact on me.
